The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-07-16
THE CONGO FREE STATE.
Its Commercial and Political Relations to
the European overs.

It's Commercial and Pol,tica, Relations to
the European Powers.
Portugal seems to be having a con-
niption fit over the way things are
managed in the Congo Free State.
The Portuguese have never got over
the notion that they should have had
the management of affairs in the Congo
country. and continually look with an
eye of apprehension on what is being
done or projected. That which has
stirred them up now is the fantastic be-
lief that Tippoo lib, a slavc-dealer re-
Gently appointed an agent of the Congo
Free State, intends with the co-opera-
ton Of Stanley and the con
sent of the State, to continue
the interdicted slave trade in Western
Africa The only justification of
the opinion is the simple fact that Tip
poo Tib has been 4 slave-dealer. and is
now an agent Of the Congo Cove rn-
ment. When it is explained hat this
interesting gentlemen was chosen
solely for the purpose Of securing his
influence with the tribes Of Central
Africa to re-establish Falls Station, the
antic anxiety of the Portuguese Parlia-
ment became rather amusing. Portu-
gal may smooth out its bib and tucker
and sit down serenely confident that
King Leopold of the Belgians will see
to it that the Government of the Con.
60 Free State will do nothing to scam
dalize its European sponsors.
At the same time, as one of the in
ternational guarantors, Portugal is
quite justified in being solicitious as to
the sanctity of = by no means unim-
portant trust. The Congo Free State
was constituted by the general act of
an international conference held at
Berlin February rs, 1885. Articles Of
convention recognizing the sovereign
rights Of the International Association
Of the Congo were signed by Germany
November s. 1884; by Great Britain
December IL, 1884; by the Netherlands
December q, 1884; by France Fcbru-
airy 5. 1885, and by Portugal February
IA, 1885. and twelve days later the as
ISOLATION was merged into the Free
State. The agreement was to respect
the neutrality and i%nviolability Of the
State, and hold its territories and the
rest of the Congo Basin free to the
trade of all nations. There was. how.
ever, a reservation Of the right to de-
eide, until the end Of a period of
twenty years, whether freedom Of en-
try should continue.
The navigation Of the Congo was
placed under the direction of an Inter-
national Commi ssion. and on King
Leopold. of Belgium, was conferred
tho sovereignty of the Free State,
though Belgium and its Government
have no power in relation to the gov
ernment of the Free State. The seat
Of the central Government is at Brus-
sells. The State maintains an armed
force of 1000 men. and the Admins
traitor General Of the local govern.
ment is a resident at Bona. There are
four administrative divisions, the
Lower Congo, Livingstone Falls and
the Pool. the district between the Pool
and the Equator, and the Upper Congo.
with provincial chiefs The capital is
Leopoldville.
The area Of the Free State is ESTE
mated to be 1885, 200 square milos,
the population being about q. 900, 900.
The State embraces a strip along the
north bank Of the Congo from the
mouth Of the river to Manyanga the
beginning Of French territory. II is
yet a question whether commerce with
the country can be made very profit
able. 1t is rich in special exports,
palm-oil, rubber. gum-copal, ivory.
ground nuts, cam-wood and orchilla-
weed, but its principal imports are
cheap textile fabrics, spirits. tobacco,
powder and firearms. The induce
ments to trade are not such rs prom
Use to make the Free State q very valu-
able center Of international trade.
though the extension Of railroads from
the coast to the interior, only a ques-
ton of the future. will doubtless make
Central and Congo Africa a profitable
field of competition. - Chicago Inter
Ocean.
0A1sahla E1ao~l N1AAk